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LAS VEGAS – Since drug testing’s inception in MMA, fighters have voiced their agitation and aggravation if an opponent fails a post-fight drug test.

PFL featherweight Jeremy Kennedy had two of his opponents fail drug tests in 2019. He fought them both in the same night.

At the PFL’s second playoff event this past October, Kennedy (15-2 MMA) split two fights, going 1-1. After defeating Luis Rafael Laurentino by second-round knockout in the quarterfinals, Kennedy was submitted by Daniel Pineda in the semifinals.

When the Nevada Athletic Commission post-fight drug test results surfaced, both Laurentino and Pineda tested positive. Kennedy’s loss to Pineda was overturned to a no contest. Despite Pineda opening up a spot in the 2019 finals in New York on New Year’s Eve, PFL elected to give Alex Gilpin the opportunity instead.

At a Dominance MMA media day in Las Vegas earlier this month, Kennedy opened up about the strange experience. While he admitted the situation was frustrating, he put his absence from the PFL finals on himself more than anyone else.

“It was super frustrating, but realistically it comes down to: Just win the fight,” Kennedy told MMA Junkie. “A lot of people are like, ‘Oh man, you should be fighting in the finals.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, but I didn’t win the fight.’ Yes, he failed his drug test and (so did) the guy I fought first – but beat him. It gives those guys an advantage, but it also shows what kind of person they are. They need that help. Mentally, it’s a disadvantage to them. I just think I had a raw deal in that whole last season. It was more of a trial run for me.”

Despite the hardships of his first PFL experience, Kennedy thinks the experience will serve as a lesson going forward. As he enters the 2020 PFL season, Kennedy said he’s coming into his own.

“I think this year coming forward, I’ve done the whole thing now,” Kennedy said. “I’ve had two fights in one night – even if they both tested positive. I was an alternate for the finals. I did that whole training camp during that timeline of fighting in New York City on New Year’s Eve. The regular season, I’ve got it all down.

“Now at 27, I’m coming into my own strength-wise, mentally, physically, and everything. I still have the youth, but I’ve got the experience as well – with my fights in the UFC, my PFL season and fighting overseas. I just think it was a blessing in disguise, and this was the year I’ve got to bring this thing home now.”